GB2180213A - Apparatus for positioning casks - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for positioning a cask C with its bung hole facing vertically downwards comprises a pair of rotatable clamp wheels 2 arranged to engage respective end faces of the cask and an actuator 5 for rotating one of the wheels until a spring biased locating plunger 33 engages in the bung hole to arrest the cask. The clamp wheels 2 are moved into engagement by operation of a clamping cylinder 14. The plunger is mounted on a table 22 which may be raised and lowered by bellows 26, 27 to locate the axes of different sized casks in the same spacial position. When not engaged by clamp wheels 2 the casks are supported on plates 20, and the plates are mounted on rams 21 to lower them from the proximity of a cask when the latter is engaged by the clamp wheels. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for positioning casks This invention relates two apparatus for positioning casks,forexample in readinessforwashing or some other operation, particularly but not exclusively beer casks in a brewery.

When a cask is returned empty to a brewery or otherfilling location,the inside ofthe cask hasto be washed priorto filling. This is achieved by inserting a washing device through a bung hole in the side ofthe cask, and to enable insertion the bung hole isfirst automatically located in the desired position by rotating the cask about its central longitudinal axis. Automatic apparatus is available for this operation, but a disadvantage of such known apparatus is that it comprises two sets of rollers, one ofwhich engages the two end rims of the caskfor longitudinal centralising thereof and the other ofwhich engages the end portions ofthe side of the cask for driving rotation.In practice, both the end rims and the end side portions of conventional stainless steel casks become damaged and distortedfrom theirdayto day handling and it is then difficult both to obtain accurate centralising by using the distorted rims, and to achieve full traction ofthe rotating rollers on the distorted end side portions. As a resu It, distorted but otherwise serviceable casks must frequently be discarded.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for positioning a cask, comprising a pair of rotatable clamping members arranged to engage respective end faces of a cask at a positioning station and meansforrot5atingtheclamping members so asto rotate the cask into a desired position.

In such apparatus the two end faces ofthe casks are used for positioning and these faces, which in conventional casks are protected from damage by respective end rims, are generally undistorted so that accurate positioning can be obtained. The apparatus is particularly useful where a cask is to be positioned with its bung hole in a desired orientation for insertion of a device for washing the inside of the cask.

When the apparatus is used for this purpose, it is preferably adapted to receive a cask lying on its side and the desired position into which the cask is rotated mightthen be with its bung hole facing vertically downwards.

The apparatus will generally be arranged such that a cask is rotated about its central longitudinal axis. The apparatus may then include a locating plun ger adapted to be resiliently urged againstthe side of a cask, so that when the cask is rotated it is arrested in the desired position by engagement of the plunger in a side opening, e.g. a bung hole, ofthe cask. Of course, other arrangements for determining when the cask has been rotated to the desired position are possible.

The apparatus preferably includes a support plate for supporting a cask lying on its side readyforen gagementbytheclamping members. If the apparatus is adapted for use with one size of cask only, then the clamping members can simply engage the end faces of a cask on the support plate which can then be lowered away from the cask. Preferably however the apparatus is adapted for use with casks of different size and therefore includes height adjustment meansfor moving the support plate to a posi tionwherethecentral longitudinal axis of a cask lying thereon is in alignment with the axis of rotation ofthe clamping members. Such means may be manually actuated, but preferably the apparatus includes means for sensing the size of a cask, for example a roller arranged to be resiliently urged into engagement with the side of a cask.The sensing means can then automatically ensure that height adjustment appropriate to the size of casktakes place.

The casks-may be received by the apparatus already in the correct longitudinal position, requiring only to be rotated at the positioning station. Preferably however the rotatable clamping members are arranged such that when they move into engage ment with the cask end faces they ensure thatthe cask is longitudinally centralised. In such an arrangement, if cask is for some reason received in a longitudinally displaced position, one of the clamping members will push on the respective cask end face to centralise the cask before any rotation thereoftakes place.If the apparatus isto be usable with different sizes of cask, the extent of engaging movement ofthe clamping members is preferably controlled accord ingtothe length of a caskto be positioned such that the cask is longitudinally centralised.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation view of a clamping and rotation mechanism of a cask positioning apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure2 is a partly sectioned view ofthe detail "A" of Figure 1; Figure3is a plan view ofthe mechanism of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a partly sectioned elevation of a cask lifting mechanism ofthe cask positioning apparatus; Figure 5is a section on V-V of Figure4; Figure6isasection onVI-VI of Figure4; and Figure-7 is a section on Vll-Vii of Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3,the clamping and rotation mechanism 1 basically comprises a pair of clamp wheels 2forengaging the end faces of a caskC and respectively carried by clamp arms 3 arranged to move longitudinallytowards and away from each other on a clamp support mechanism 4.

Figure 2 shows one ofthe clamp wheels 2 which is arranged to be driven by a pneumatic rotary actuator 5, although any suitable rotarydrive means could be used. A cam member 6 is also connected to be driven bythe actuator5 and provides an indication to a pro ximity switch 7 ofthe position of the clamp wheel.

The two clamp wheels are of the same construction, each comprising a steel wheel 8 supported in a bearing 9 and carrying an annular grip 10forengagement with a respective end face ofthe cask, longitudinal thrust being borne by a thrust bearing 11. However, only one ofthe clamp wheels (i.e. that shown in Figure 2) is provided with rotary drive means and position sensing means.

The clamp support mechanism 4 seen in Figures 1 and 3 comprises a pair of parallel rods 12 on which are mounted two spaced sets of slide bearings 13, each set carrying a respective clamp arm 3 for longitudinal movement.Aclampingcylinder14isfixedto the apparatus and is connected to drive the left-hand clamp arm 3 longitudinally. The two clamp arms are respectively connected to the upper and lower runs of a chain 15 mounted on a pairof longitudinally spaced chain wheels 16, so that the arms move simultaneously towards or away from each other when onlytheleft-handarm is driven bytheclamping cylinder 14. The chain wheels 16 are each rotatably mounted by a respective support 17.Adjustment of the relative positions ofthe clamp arms 3 is provided by a pair ofturnbuckle assemblies 18 respectively provided on the upper and lower runs of the chain 15.

Figures4to7showacasklifting mechanism 19for positioning a cask C with its longitudinal end faces ready for engagement by the clamp wheels 2 described above. A pair of notch plates 2Ofor receiving the cask (from e.g. a walking beam W) are each connected to a lifting cylinder 21 which is in turn fixed to a lifting platform 22. As may be seen in Figure 5, each notch plate 20 is provided with a pair of guide rods 23 received in bushed guides 24.

The lifting platform 22 is arranged to be adjustable in height so that the longitudinal axes of different size casks can be aligned with the fixed rotational axis of the clamp wheels 2. In the preferred embodiment, the lifting platform can be adjusted between low, intermediate and upper positions, respectively for large, medium, and small size casks, each ofthese positions being sensed by lifting platform proximity switches (not shown). Height adjustment is achieved by two sets of lifting bellows 25, each set comprising a lower bellows 26 and an upper bellows 27 joined by a connecting member 28. The lower bellows is fixed to a rigid frame member 29 and is arranged to liftthe connecting memberthrough a height "x" determined by its engagement with fixed stops 30, thereby providing an intermediate position of the lifting platform 22 when the upper bellows is not operated, suitable for a medium size e.g. 18 gallon cask.

The upper bellows 27 is fixed to the connecting member 28 and supports the lifting platform 22, so that when the upper bellows is operated the platform is lifted through a further height "y", giving a total lift of "x + y" suitable for a small size e.g. 9 gallon cask.

This upper position of the platform is determined by stops 31 which are connected thereto and which compress respective return springs 32 seated against the rigid frame member 29 (see Figure 7). The return springs 32 ensure that when the bellows are notoperatedthe lifting platform 22 returns to its lowest position, suitablefor a large size e.g. 36 gallon cask.

Figure4shows a bung hole locating plunger33 mounted on the lifting platform 22 so asto be upwardly spring biased. The upper end of the plunger comprises a roller34 urged by the force ofthe spring into engagement with the side of the cask C when the latter is in position for rotation by the clamp wheels 2.

The presence of a caskissensed bya proximity switch assembly 35. When the cask is rotated its bung hole is brought into a vertically downwardly facing position at which stage the roller moves upwards into the hole undertheforce ofthespring so as to arrest the cask.

The operating sequence for positioning large casks C with their bu ng holes facing vertically downwards will now be described. Initially the clamping cylinder 14 is fully extended as arethe lifting cylin ders21 which thus supportthe notch plates 20 in their upper position. The two sets of bellows 25 are retracted so that the lifting platform 22 is in its lowest position, this being sensed by one ofthe lifting platform proximity switches (not shown). The stationary mode ofthe clamp wheels is sensed by proximity switch 7.

AcaskCisdeposited bywalkingbeamWonto notch plates 20, the size ofthe cask having been detected by suitable sensing means e.g. optical or mechanical sensors. The cask depresses the plunger 33 against its spring bias and this is detected by switch assembly 35. The clamping cylinder 14 retracts, thereby moving the clamp arm 3 inwards until the clamp wheels 2 engage the end faces ofthe cask, causing cylinder 14to stall. The cask is then in along- itudinally centralised position and this is detected by a pressure switch or other means. The lifting cylinders 21 retract two lower the notch plates 20 and to leave the casks supported by the clamp wheels 2.

Rotation of the actuator 5 causes the bung hole formed in the side ofthe caskto align with the spring biased locating plunger33 so allowing itto enterthe hole and arrest the cask. This is sensed by proximity switch assembly 35. The lifting cylinders 21 extend causing the notch plates 20triseto contactthecask.

This is the position of the apparatus shown in Figure 4. Referring to Figure 1 the clamping cylinder 14ex- tends to release the caskfrom the clamp wheels 2 and to leave it supported solely on the notch plates 20 with its bung hole facing vertically downwards loc ated overthe spring biased plunger 33. The caskis now in a position where it can be picked up by the walking beam Wand removed from the apparatus to be replaced by the next cask.

The operating cycle for smaller size casks differs from the cycle described above in that the apparatus must adapt to the different size of cask. The operating cycle for a small cask will now be described, with the apparatus in the same initial position as before. A cask is picked up by the walking beam and deposited on the notch plates as previously described, its size having been determined elsewhere in the system. Air is now applied to the lower bellows 26 causing the lifting platform 22 to rise a distance "x" as limited by stops 30. Simultaneously air is applied to the upper bellows 27 which further lifts the platform 22 a distance "y". The platform is thus lifted atotal height of "x + y" corresponding to the difference in height between the fixed rotational axis ofthe clamp wheels 2 and thecentre line ofthe small cask in the initial receiving position on the notch plates. The upper position ofthe lifting platform is sensed by one of its proximity switches (not shown).

Clamping now proceeds as previously described, exceptthattheclampwheels2 moveinwardlya greaterdistanceto clamp the smaller cask. Their inward movement is synchronised by the chain 15 so thatthe cask is longitudinally centralised. The cask is rotated until such time as the bung hole has been loc ated and the cask isthen unclamped. Air is exhausted from the bellows 25 and the lifting platform 22 returns to its lowest position aided by springs 32.

The operating cyclefora medium size cask isvery similar although in this instance the cask is lifted a total distance "x" by operation of lower bellows 26 only. The distance "x" correspondstothedifference in height between the fixed rotational axis ofthe clamp wheels 2 and the centre line ofthe medium size cask in the initial receiving position of the notch plates.

The apparatus may be further refined to deal with a failure to locate the bung hole. When the cask is clamped by the clamp wheels 2 and the notch plates 20 are retracted at the start position, the proximity switch 7will be activated. Rotation now commences, and if the bung hole is located the cycle proceeds automatically. However, should rotation complete 360" and the bung hole is notfound, becauseforex- amplethe bung has not been removed, then switch7 will be remade. This will cause the direction of rotation to be reversed for a second attempt at location. If this attempt should also fail then an alarm may be initiated for example.

The various cylinders used in the preferred embodiment may be hydraulically or pneumatically operated and are preferably electrically controlled byre- lays or relay outputs which operate solenoid valves.

Proximity switches, reed switches and/or pressure switches can be appropriately used to determine when anyparticularstep in the operating cycle is complete.

It isto be clearly understood that there are no particularfeatures of the foregoing specification, or of any claims appended hereto, which are at present regarded as being essential to the performance of the present invention, and that any one or more of such features or combinations thereof may therefore be included in, added to, omitted from or deleted from any of such claims if and when amended during the prosecution ofthis application orin the filing or prosecution of any divisional application based thereon.

Claims (6)

1. Apparatus for positioning a cask, comprising a pair of rotatable clamping members arranged to engage respective end faces of a cask at a positioning station and means for rotating the clamping members so as to rotate the cask into a desired position.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a locating plunger adapted to be resiliently urged against the side of the cask, so that when the cask is rotated it is arrested in the desired position by en gagement ofthe plunger in a side opening ofthe cask.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or2, including a support plate for supporting the cask lying on its sidereadyforengagementbytheclamping mem- bers.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, including a height adjustment means for moving the support plate to a position where the central longitudinal axis of a cask lying thereon is in alignment with the axis of rotation of the clamping members.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, including means for sensing the size of cask so as to ensure that height adjustment appropriate to the size of cask takes place.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including means for moving the rotatable clamping members into engagement with the cask end faces such that the cask is longitudinally centralised on the apparatus.